Although I was at first disappointed to hear that the keynote speaker  at my commencement would be the current mayor of Newark, NJ, after reading his bio, his wikipedia page, and watching the trailer for the 2005 documentary Street Fight about his campaign to become mayor of Newark, I became excited to hear what he has to say. Booker is a community organizer who, as a politician and outside of politics, has done some really brave shit to prove his commitment to do what is best for the people of Newark. I hope that he will impart to us during his speech, some of the wisdom that he has gained along the way. Also, he knows President Obama personally and is a vegetarian, so he must be a cool guy.

Oh, and we’re also giving an honorary degree to Rajendra K. Pachauri, the guy who received the Nobel Prize along with Al Gore in 2007, and awesome choreographer Bill T. Jones. Good job Brandeis!

Thank god I don’t have to listen to Thomas Friedman or Bill Schneider!

Kim will speak to students and other members of the Brandeis community about her life’s work in organizing and mobilizing people of all backgrounds to work together to effect social change. She firmly believes in the value of cross-cultural and interreligious communication. Kim’s words will be inspiring to all who attend the event, and participants will have time to ask her questions after her remarks.

Kim Bobo is the founder of Interfaith Worker Justice, in Chicago, Illinois. She leads this network of people in educating, organizing, and mobilizing the religious communities in the United States to improve wages, benefits, and conditions for workers, and give voice to workers in low-wage jobs. Her recent book, “Wage Theft in America: How Millions of Working Americans Are Not Getting Paid – And What We Can Do About It,” is the first and only book to document the wage theft crisis in the nation and propose practical solutions for addressing it.

Please contact Anne Blackstock-Bernstein at ann...@brandeis.edu with any questions.

Full disclosure: I have been helping to organize this event for the last couple months so, yes, I have a vested interest in your attendance.

Also, if you don’t come tonight, baby seals will die because of you.

Through a generous gift from the Laurie Foundation, the Brandeis University Hiatt Career Center will administer the Hiatt Theater Arts Fellows Program, a competitive application process to provide $3,000 individual awards to support 7-8 undergraduate students in unpaid theater-related training and internships during summer, 2009. Internships must be undertaken through: a theater-related training program, theater-related organization in the private or public sector, or Brandeis faculty-led theater-related experiential curriculum.

I think the Hiatt WoW scholarships and Justice Brandeis Legacy Fund for Social Justice grants have been a great development over the past few years.  Establishing something similar within the theater department is especially important because paying jobs in theaters, especially for college students, are so rare.

Have there been other subject-specific grants established?

Can Economics Work for Workers?

Are sweatshops needed to strengthen developing economies? Or is there a “race to the bottom” in workers’ wages? What are the right corporate and government policies?

On March 19th at 7:00pm in Rapaporte Treasure Hall the Brandeis Labor Coalition and the Business Club will be hosting a forum of different perspectives on international labor practices, including professors from the Brandeis Economics department and International Business School. Come hear scholarly opinions on the ethical and economic ramifications of globalization on workers and get your questions answered! Refreshments will be served following the forum.

Speakers will include
Featured UMass-Boston Professor Gerald Friedman.
Brandeis’ economics department chair Rachel McCulloch,
International Business School’s Michael Appell,

The event will be moderated by Professor John Ballantine of IBS.

(Made possible by the SJSP Brenda Meehan Social Justice-in-Action Grant)

From 4-5pm this afternoon, they will be performing an Informal Concert: Imagining a Common Place in the Shapiro atrium.

Tomorrow from 9-10:30am in Slosberg, they will be in hosting open class on Colling Traditions: The Nu World (Dis)Order, following which they will be in another class in Slosberg which anybody is free to attend, called Fixing Friction, from 12-1:30pm.

Since I only have time to go to one of these events, I am very excited to go to an Improvisation Workshop with Nettle tomorrow from 4-5:30pm. Contact eiss...@brandeis.edu for more info.

On Saturday, before their big concert Nettle will host a Preconcert Talk: Nettles, Neighbors and Nu World Music at 7pm in the Rose Art Museum.

At 8pm in Slosberg, Nettle will will give the biggest concert of the weekend, Nettle – Music for a Nu World. This will definitely be an awesome and rocking concert.  See go.brandeis.edu/tickets for ticket prices.

It’s a great movie and very relevant today because unions are even more vital during hard economic times like these. Also, the Senate is very close to voting on the Employee Free Choice Act (read about it here) a very important piece of legislation that would make unionizing easier so that workers like the women in this movie don’t have to struggle for three years just to gain their most basic rights.

“Made in L.A.” is an Emmy award-winning feature documentary (70 min) that follows the remarkable story of three Latina immigrants working in Los Angeles garment sweatshops as they embark on a three-year odyssey to win basic labor protections from trendy clothing retailer Forever 21. In intimate observational style, “Made in L.A.” reveals the impact of the struggle on each woman’s life as they are gradually transformed by the experience. Compelling, humorous, deeply human, “Made in L.A.” is a story about immigration, the power of unity, and the courage it takes to find your voice.

For more information about the event or the movie, contact Tom Charging Hawk at 781-296-6053.

Fairly innocuos organizations, right? Wrong.

According to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center (if you are interested in reading the report, email me), the Center for Immigration Studies was founded by a white supremacist named John Tanton, who also founded NumbersUSA and Federation for American Immigration Reform, in order to crank out reports and statistics that blame immigration and immigrants for America’s problems. Tanton is not just another a right-wing nutcase like Rush Limbaugh or Newt Gingrich.  This guy has been associating himself with Holocaust deniers and members of the KKK for a long time. CIS calls itself independent but it is not. It is a think tank of the nativist lobby in the US.

Should Steven Camarota and others from groups like the CIS be allowed to come speak at Brandeis? Yes. Should they be allowed to leave without being forced to explain their words and writings? No.

Rest assured, Camarota will come here tomorrow night not about to say anything even slightly racist, because he knows his audience. He’s coming in the hope that he will be able to make the extremist, nativist point of view sound knowledgable and intellectual. Luckily, as Brandeis students, we know better than to accept his bullshit.

Come to this debate of US immigration policy, tomorrow, Wednesday night at 7pm in Heller School’s Zinner Forum, but first do your research so you can ask Camarota to explain his xenophobic and racist writings, and make him rethink his anti-immigrant stance.

Tuesday:

As usual, we have the Sex and Sexuality Symposium, Brandeis Labor Coalition, Students for a Sensible Drug Policy and Democracy for America weekly meetings, as well as Brandeis Open Mic Series.

Wednesday:

One of many events this month in the Disabilities Series of March Events, at 6:30pm Dr. Ticchi of Legal Sea Foods will speak about the social and professional treatment of people with disabilities.

At 7pm in Heller will be, After the Crossing: Implications of Alternative Policy Responses to Illegal Immigration, a debate between Steven Camarota of the Center for Immigration Studies and Rinku Sen of the Applied Research Center, moderated by Paul Solman of WGBH.

From 9-12, Students Organized Against Racism will hold their Second Annual Racism Arts Project in Chums.

AHORA!, MLK and Friends, Student Global AIDS Campaign, and Students for Environmental Action weekly meetings.

Thursday:

At 3pm, Affecting the Political: An Assessment of the ‘Emotional Turn’ in the Study of Social Movements will happen in Pearlman Lounge.

At 7pm the Democratic State Committee will hold a Platform Committee Hearing in Waltham at 119 School St.

There will be a special Radical Film Night this week, at 8pm, when Brandeis Labor Coalition will present Made in L.A., a film about worker’s fighting for their rights in the garment sweatshops of Los Angeles.

Also, Student Peace Action, Triskelion and Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance meetings.

Friday:

At noon, Peace Vigil, outside of Usdan.

At 8:30, the first of four events this weekend called, A Unique Perspective on Judaism and Homosexuality: A weekend with Rabbi Steven Greenberg. At this one, Rabbi Greenberg will share his personal life story of being the first openly gay Orthodox rabbi.

Saturday:

Rabbi Greenberg’s second event, at 1:30, will be a colloquium on homosexuality in religious tradition with Rabbi Greenberg, Father Walter Cuenin (Catholic chaplain) and Professor James Mandrell (of WGS).

Later in the afternoon at 4:30pm, you will have the opportunity to study with Rabbi Greenberg to see his perspective on what Jewish texts have to say about homosexuality.

Finally, at 8:30pm, Rabbi Greenberg will screen the movie Trembling Before G-d, a film about Judaism and homosexuality, which features Rabbi Greenberg. The film screening will be followed by an open discussion.

PACHANGA!

Thursday:

“Climate Wars,” a lecture presented by Prof. Harald Welzer – from 12-2pm in the Faculty Lounge

Lunchtime Immigration Seminar - 12:15-1:45, Heller Rm. 163

International Women’s Day Celebration at Brandeis – 5:30-6:30pm in Rapaporte

Monsters, Messiahs, or Something Else? Representations of Mixed-Race in Science Fiction Movies – 7-8pm in Schwartz

Moolade, a movie showing on Female Genital Mutilation - 7-9pm in Shiffman 219

He Said, She Said: A Discussion of Gender Relations between Men and Women of Color - 8-9pm in ICC

Weekly meetings of Student Peace Alliance, Students for a Democratic Society, Trisk, Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, and Radical Film Night.

Friday:

Vigil for Peace – Noon

Ethical Eating Night - 8-9pm in Lurias

Vagina Monologues – 8pm in Shapiro Theater

Saturday:

Maple Magic Day!!! – Learn to make maple syrup 8:30am-3pm in Natick

Vagina Monologues - 2pm and 8pm in Shapiro Theater

For more information about all events see the Brandeis Activist Calendar to your right. To have your event posted, email eve...@innermostparts.org.

Monday:

Israeli and Palestinian Combatants For Peace at Brandeis – 5:30pm in Shapiro Art Gallery

Weekly meeting of Students Organized Against Racism at 8pm in the ICC and FRESH Water Coalition at 9:30 in the library.

Tuesday:

A new event in the tradition of Tuesdays with Morrie, Tuesdays with Father Walter Cuenin, from 4-5pm in Shapiro Art Gallery.

The first in the Disabilities Series of March Events – a lecture by Valerie Leiter, Brandeis ’01 PhD, author of Youth with Disabilities Entering Adulthood, in Pollack Auditorium at 6:30pm

Weekly meetings of Sex and Sexualities Symposium, Brandeis Labor Coalition, Students for a Sensible Drug Policy, Democracy for America, STAND.

Wednesday:

Celebrate first generation college students at I am the First, from 3:30-6pm in the International Lounge.

Community Activism in Thailand: Working with “Scavenger” Communities and the Urban Poor, in Rapaporte Treasure Hall from 4:30-6pm.

Activism and Community Organizing in the U.S. and in Thailand: An Open Exchange with Mr. Kovit Boonjear, in ICC at 8pm. There will be ice cream.

Positive Foundations Coffeehouse from 9-11pm in Chums.

Weekly meetings of AHORA!, Student Global AIDS Campaign, MLK and Friends, Students for Environmental Action and Students for a Democratic Society.

For more information about all events, refer to the Activist Calendar to your right. To have your social justice related event posted, email eve...@innermostparts.org.

Hello,
My name is Murat Kemahlioglu, I am a junior at Brandeis, and am
representing the student body in the academic restructuring
sub-committee for the Business Major. 

I would like to remind you all that nothing is off the table and any
creative comment you may give will make a difference. Therefore,
please participate by completing this survey; 

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=zX9ND8Mnvs5MnEYzBnOsJQ_3d_3d 

Thank you, and have a good week.
Murat Kemahlioglu

The first Town Hall is today at 430PM. The second Town Hall is Thursday, February 12th at 430PM. Both of these are in Upper Sherman (in Hassenfeld Conference Center). The discussion will focus on Degree
Requirements and Advising, Curricular Innovation, and the Third Semester (a summer semester or an experiential semester to that would be incorporated into the curriculum for incoming classes). For the sake of everyone who can’t go and to let the administration know that we will be a valuable part of this process, get involved, and make your voice heard.

A Forum will be held at 7:30 pm on Tuesday February 10th in Geller Auditorium (back of Sherman) to discuss the possibility of a Business major. Come with questions, concerns, ideas for the curriculum, etc.

Questions to consider might include: How does this affect the liberal arts environment at Brandeis University? What classes will be offered? How will this affect the financial situation in general? Will they hire new professors to teach this major? Is this going to affect the current IBS program?

The forum will be moderated by the Brandeis Business Club. All questions will be fielded by the Undergraduate representative to the Business Major Drafting Committee, who will take your concerns and suggestions directly to the committee itself.

We’ll let you know about more events like these as we hear about them.

However, Jehuda and Shula have recently led me to believe that Brandeis will not rush to make cuts to the arts program. At a party after Saturday night’s performance, Andrew Neiman (not a Brandeis student), the lead actor in Brandeis Theatre Company’s Siddhartha, told me that Jehuda and Shula, who were in the audience that night, approached him after the show ended to congratulate him on his performance. (If the couple needs to be convinced to support the arts we may be in luck because Jehuda was apparently very endeared when Andy broke out his Hebrew skills.) In addition, the Women’s Studies Research Center of which Shula is the Director, frequently features art exhibits, like their show which will begin this April, Cairns.

The President and his wife’s personal support of the arts are an encouraging sign to me that during the current economic crisis, the arts will not be cut without hesitation as they often are during hard times. But we’ll have to wait and see in order to find out for sure.

First, you should stop by Polaris Lounge in North Quad tomorrow night at 6:15 to learn how to make hummus at the Home-made Hummus Party, hosted by NaturaLiving Club. You’ll be able to learn how to make your own hummus, and then eat it!! There will be HUMMUS (of course) and chips and veggies for dipping too. Feel free to bring your dinner with you, too, and eat it with the hummus.

Later, at 7:30 SEA and BOO are co-hosting TO BE GREEN: An Environmental and Tu B’shvat Celebration, an event which will voice student perspectives from each club about how we can protect and preserve our environment, decorate canvass tote bags to use instead of plastic ones, and plant seeds in homemade planters to keep in your dorm rooms! Delicious foods will be provided and bring your own mug/cup/used plastic bottle to use as a planter***

Also tomorrow, the Sociology Department will be showing Babel at 8pm in Golding Auditorium. Snacks will be served and immediately after the film there will be a brief discussion of the film to delve into its sociological implications.

If you’re not interested in seeing Babel, you could also go to the ICC at 8:30 to watch Rice and Potatoes, a documentary co-sponsored by Brandeis Asian-American Student Alliance and Trisk, that explores gay Asian/Caucasian relationships. Following the movie, there will be a discussion.

At 9pm on Monday, Mixed Heritage Club is hosting a Valentine’s Day Interracial Dating Event. There will be a discussion of interracial, inter-ethnic and multicultural dating and relationships and pink lemonade and Valentine’s Day treats will be served!

You may have never heard of the club FRESH at Brandeis, but you should go to their meeting this week on Monday at 9:30 because they are dedicated to helping areas affected by issues of unclean water, an issue that could use a lot more attention than it gets.

On Tuesday, there aren’t many events happening, but you can be a part of a lot of planning of future activism by going to Sex and Sexualities Symposium from 2-3pm, Brandeis Labor Coalition 8-9pm, Students for a Sensible Drug Policy 8-9pm, Brandeis Open Mic Series 9-10pm, and Democracy for America 9-10:30.

There is no lack of meetings on Wednesday with an informational meeting about hiking Israel’s National Trail at 6pm in Shapiro 315, and AHORA! General Meeting and MLK and Friends meetings from 8-9pm and SEA and Students for a Democratic Society from 9-10pm.

On Thursday morning at 10:30am, Women’s and Gender Studies presents Gender at the End of Life: Dying, Assisted Suicide and Euthanasia with keynote speaker Susan M. Wolf. Later in the day at 3:30pm in Usdan International Lounge, Dr. Brian Williams an Epidemiologist working for the World Health Organization, will give the keynote address of Fighting AIDS in Africa: Public Health vs. Human Rights. In his address, Dr. Williams will attempt to reconcile the disparate views of public-health experts and human-rights advocates to explore how policymakers, donors, scientists, and service providers can work together more effectively. Also on Thursday will be Student Peace Alliance Meeting 8-9pm, FMLA 8:30-9:30pm and Radical Film Night 9-10pm. Brandeis Theater Company’s production of Siddhartha which opened on Friday night, will continue for the second and final weekend starting on Thursday  at 8pm, and continuing on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, as well as Saturday and Sunday at 2pm.

If your club is doing an event that is not on this calendar or you have heard about one, please email us at eve...@innermostparts.org.

Tomorrow night at 7pm in Swig Lounge, ICC there will be an interesting informal roundtable discussion on Black Identity (pre and post Civil Rights) with various professors and staff members such as Prof. Wayne Marshall, Jamele Adams, and Ashley Rondini. It sounds like a very interesting dialogue to be a part of, no matter your race/racial identity.

On Sunday from 5-10pm the second Expressions Arts Festival will happen at Biagio Ristorante and Bar (on Moody St. in Waltham). The festival will include live performances and paintings, crafts and jewelry, and it provides a great opportunity to network with other artists. The event will be MC’ed by Jason Henry Simon-Bierenbaum, and will include performances and art by Molly Haas-Hooven (’09) and Allison Vanouse (’09), Josh Mervis (’08) and Samson Kohanski (’08), Brandeis Saxophone Quartet, Northeastern’s Kathryn Hansis, Emerson’s The Gringo Choir, FRIT and Brandeis’ VoiceMale. After 10pm, there will an after party with DJ and Dancing. The Arts Festival will benefit Expressions, a new not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing grants for programs globally that empower and develop individuals and the societies in which they live through the arts. Check out ExpressionsInternational.org for more details!

At 7pm on Sunday there will be a Benefit Dinner brought to you by local restaurants (including Milk Street Cafe) in the Multipurpose Room in SCC, to benefit, Baet Cham Le’Naara, a home for at-risk girls in Nahariyah, Israel. The participants of Hillel’s trip to Israel this winter break are sponsoring this fundraiser. The cost will be $10 for the dinner, plus there will be a silent auction and entertainment!